SILENT DESTRUCTION

The private lives of the seemingly blessed is not always the view people expect. Such is the case for Jeff and Nikki Singleton.

From the outside the couple seems to have it all in terms of secure careers, productive financial planning, possessions and a great marriage. What will come to light in this necessary story from author Michelle Larks is what really happens behind closed doors and whether or not their faith will be enough to help them overcome.

Added to their marital woes is a unexpected event with the ability to pull the two farther apart.

‘Til Debt Do Us Part speaks to the challenges that beset marriages when past hurts go unresolved and unspoken needs fester.

Dialogue with the Author

Author Michelle Larks is a wife, mother and IT professional. In my opinion she should add consummate hostess to her list of abilities.

Speaking with Michelle via telephone is akin to being ushered into the inner sanctum of her suburban Chicago home. Exuding a disarming candor Ms. Larks invited me into a conversation that most reserve for close friends. In doing so I believe that beside the word vulnerability in the dictionary, we will now find her picture.

During our short time together Michelle shared the story of how she and her husband had to escape from their burning home. I expected her words to revolve around all the things she had lost, but they did not.

Michelle, in her soft-spoken voice relayed the reality of that moment. That reality was that although she was offered help, it was refused. She refused the help believing that things were not as bad as they seemed. Reality opened her eyes to the fact that things were bad in terms of the damage done to the home. Even at that Michelle made the best of the situation – she and her husband checked into a hotel.

Anyone who has had to live through a remodel can attest to the fact that the timeline can become quite an inconvenience. Yet it is often in our inconvenience, our patience, our experience with that which is not a part of our ordinary routine where our greatest lessons are learned.

What was the lesson Michelle learned?

What Michelle candidly revealed was that it took this experience to show her that needing others, being able to depend upon and accept the blessings awaiting you does not label you a burden or inept. She was able to break out of what could have held back/blocked her blessings when she chose to share her needs with others.

When she chose to accept what she would have unselfishly given to others, blessings poured in. They poured in to the degree that with a book signing on her agenda and no clothes to wear, a business outfit came in the mail from someone in her online writing group.

When asked what she would like readers to know about her and her works her answer touches personal aspects of the life she has lived. Michelle is a people person, one who does not pass judgment, but will give advice when asked. Within the pages she writes her focus is set upon family dynamics. She desires to show how people interact and how individual lives and family can be empowered by effective communication.


To learn more about the author you can visit her on the web at: www.michellelarks.com

How Are You Living?

What the Bayou Saw by Patti Lacy is a journey into an often told story, told through a panoramic lens. More than the black and white vision is shown as we become privy to Sally’s (the main character) initiation into mindsets about Blacks as a youth, what she experienced first hand at a later age and how she must come to grips with it in the presence.

Although a work of fiction Author Lacy does a great job of showing the consequence and guilt brought on by living a lie and redemption that can be had when we seek truth.

You can visit www.pattilacy.com to learn more about the author and her works.

Who's Interpretation?

Practicing What You Preach is an excellent presentation of what happens when a person comes down with a case of Pharisees Fever. The most prevalent symptom of the disease is a dedication to living by the letter of the law rather than the humanity of it. Such is the case for Melissa Anderson.

After rededicating her life to Christ, Melissa focuses on her job and her religion. The problem with this is that her religious mind is overriding common sense.

The book is one that challenges the reader to pull out their own bibles. Some will call this work preachy, others will find it nourishing. What I found is that Ms. Davis-Griggs skillfully presents real life conflict while seaming it to the necessity of needing to truly understand the laws that govern your life, but not missing out on life due to constraints of self-imposed rigidity.

You can learn more about Vanessa Davis Griggs and her works at: vanessadavisgriggs.com

IS LIFE WORTH THE RISK?

Inside Worth A Thousand Words (the second offering from the Jubilant Soul series) the issues of life for Indigo Burns are candidly revealed.

A woman with a plan, Indigo is pleased with how her life is turning out. Her carefully laid plans are jeopardized when the proposal she wants is publicly extended at the wrong time. The proposal not only places her in a precarious situation, it totally disrupts the pre-planned timeline she lives by.

Ms. Hawkins-Adams does a great job of uncovering what many of us flirt with – the spirit of compromise. Indigo entertains compromise because she does not want to hurt Brian. Her choice is hers alone to make, but will it ultimately destroy her and others in the long-term process?

To learn more about Stacy Hawkins-Adams visit her on the web at: stacyhawkinsadams.com

KEEPING IT REAL AND RELEVANT

In the words of Etta James – At Last!

At last there is an author willing to write a book that is not only relevant, but dares to challenge the mantra of ‘keeping it real’ within a genre in desperate need of a diversity transfusion.

Tory Uncharted Terror Tory Tyson has inherited his father's love for music. Using what is in his hand, he wins a coveted radio contest. His belief that he has made it is challenged by a chain of events that will reshape what he believes to be his pre-planned future.

Whether endowed with street wisdom or somewhat shielded by suburban life, neither demographic will find it hard to follow the storyline, language or examples set forth in this impressive novel. Both demographics will be able to identify with the fact that following the rules will not always insulate you from the predatory practices of others.

Unsigned Hype by Booker T. Mattison is not the quintessential story of a teen’s love for the Hip Hop culture. What it is is a well-written and entertaining ministry that opens eyes to the necessity of moving through life with faith and a lifestyle rooted in true integrity.

Unsigned Hype is available wherever fine books are sold.